The Victory are back at their preferred Etihad Stadium where they brushed aside Sydney FC two weeks ago but this time they will be up against the league leaders and not the bottom placed side.

Adelaide go into this clash having lost their past nine meetings with the Victory but if there was ever a time for them to end that run, it is now.

They are playing a top brand of football under Rini Coolen, allowing them to enjoy a three-point cushion on the rest of the league as the only undefeated team with seven wins from 11 matches.

That form bodes very well for this contest as the Victory were beaten by second-placed Brisbane Roar last weekend but the two-time champions are likely to turn things around on the big stage and with plenty of support expected at their spiritual home, Ernie Merrick’s men can inflict Adelaide’s first defeat of the season.